This photo surfaced on the Chinese blog Evolife. Purportedly, the text also confirms the popup flash on the Nikon D700, which you can see in the image. And, as you can see from the photo, it appears that a new version of the Nikon 24-120mm lens will accompany the new D700.

This appears to confirm the prior rumors and speculation regarding an announcement from Nikon on July 1st. The rumors had previously been linked to a coming D3X; however, in light of the recent leaks, my money is on the Nikon D700. Additionally, note that Jacobs points out that “a” new SLR is coming, indicating only one new model, instead of the trio from Nikon we have been expecting. Perhaps Nikon will save something nice for Photokina 2008.

Also, I could always be wrong. Jacobs clearly has better info that I do at the moment, so maybe Canon has something up their sleeve with a Canon EOS 5D Mark II model? One things for sure, we’ve got about a week and a half to wait on the “surprise” announcement.

The Nikon D700 was announced on July 1, 2008. The D700 is slotted in Nikon’s lineup between the D300 and D3, which is fitting given that it shares characteristics of each. The D700 is a 12.1 megapixel, full frame DSLR, which features the image quality found in the pro-level Nikon D3, yet it has the more compact size of the Nikon D300. The D700 features the some sensitivity levels found the D3 – covering an extendable range of ISO 100 to ISO 25600.

The Nikon D700 carries a suggested retail price of $2999; however, the price has been substantially reduced since its introduction. It is available to order at the following trusted retailers:

Nikon D700 Reviews

It is merely a slightly reduced D3 while retaining most of the important features. Therefore, the D700’s strengths are essentially the same as the D3’s, minus a few somewhat important but not absolutely critical features such as a 100% viewfinder and dual compact flash card slots, but it is roughly 1/3 cheaper and a lot smaller.

On top of the saving you also get a built-in flash (certainly useful for some) and integrated sensor cleaning. Specification is one thing though and image quality and performance are another. Luckily though the D700 is on a similar level as the D3 in these areas as well.

Excellent Image Quality. It’s not just high ISO that’s good, the dynamic range is the best of the Nikon DSLRs, the acuity is excellent, white balance is better than ever, and, once mastered, the Picture Controls do give you plenty of control.

Is it worth the asking price? Well that depends on your own would-be use and needs. For the amateur there are more affordable alternatives, but for the professional needing full frame capability it can be considered a steal.

Deciding whether the D700 is worth its substantial price tag proves far more difficult than almost any other part of this test. The image quality, most of the handling and even the less tangible ‘want factor’ should all make the D700 the perfect balance of professional qualities and price.

Does the D700 obviate the more expensive D3? Not for high-end pros: Hardcore types who find themselves shooting in the Arctic one month and the desert the next will prefer the D3’s extraordinarily tight level of weathersealing.

The D700 just takes a better looking photograph than the D300 (and really, that’s what it’s all about-all the rest is really just bells and whistles). The new sensor, the autofocus, the low noise-it all adds up to photos that just beat the D300 (with the D700 you get D3 quality photos, which the D300, good as it is, just can’t deliver).

I think any photographer with experience would fall in love with the Nikon D700. There’s something to be said for having a 24mm lens work like a 24mm lens again, and the extremely high ISO setting available on this fine digital SLR make once-unthinkable images as easy as a press of the ISO button and a twist of the Main command dial.

Detail is crisp and clean, sharpness (again within the parameters of the optic used) is very good, and the tonal range within the images is beautiful. Noise is also exemplary, with no worrying noise at all until you go over ISO 6400. There is some noise at ISO 12800 and ISO 25600, but I think we can allow Nikon some slack here.

At any sensitivity up to ISO 1600 there’s little of concern in terms of low noise. Uncanny. At ISO 3200 a slight bit of luminance noise appears, but it can be easily removed in post. ISO 6200 is still eminently usable, and even ISO 12,000 equivalent is acceptable for reportage.

The D700 joins the D3 as a fully-fledged ‘professional’ model; it has the same tank-like build quality (though we’re sure the pop-up flash will cause a few raised eyebrows), and gets you the full pro service from Nikon.

Nikon D700 Press Release

TOKYO – Nikon Corporation is pleased to announce the introduction of its newest FX-format digital SLR, the Nikon D700.

The D700 features an FX-format first introduced with the Nikon D3. Highly praised for its outstanding features, the D3 established a new level of professional performance in terms of overall image quality, extraordinarily low noise, ISO sensitivity range, continuous high-speed shooting, color gradation, image crispness, durability, weather-resistant operation, system versatility and more.

The new D700 incorporates an extensive array of features that boast a level of performance that is in many ways comparable to the D3. At the same time, it derives a wide range of benefits – including functionality, flexibility and operability – from the more agile D300, Nikon’s flagship DX-format D-SLR.

The D700 has everything it takes to satisfy a broad spectrum of photographic needs. The 12.1-megapixel FX-format CMOS sensor with a sensing area of 36.0 x 23.9 mm; a sensitivity range of ISO 200 to 6400; continuous shooting at up to 5 frames per second (and up to 8 fps with the optional Multi-Power Battery Pack MB-D10; Nikon’s exclusive 51-point AF system; Scene Recognition System for optimum autofocus, auto exposure and auto white balance detection – these are but a few of the advanced capabilities of the extraordinary new D700.

Major Features

Large image sensor, developed by Nikon; 12.1 effective megapixels

The D700 employs an FX-format CMOS image sensor with an area of 36.0mm (h) x 23.9mm (v). It provides superior picture quality throughout a wide ISO sensitivity range, with advantages that include a large pixel size to ensure a higher signal-to-noise ratio and wide dynamic range, and improved circuit layout to efficiently increase the strength of the electrical signal from pixels. High-speed, 12-channel readout enables fast continuous shooting of high-resolution images at up to 8 frames per second (with Multi-Power Battery Pack MB-D10 and Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL4a/4 or eight AA-size batteries).
Wide sensitivity range

High-speed performance

Features a startup time of approximately 0.12 second, and a shutter release time lag of only 40 ms* – both equivalent to the flagship Nikon D3. The continuous shooting speed is up to 5 frames per second with the included Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL3e, and up to 8 fps when using the optional Multi-Power Battery Pack MB-D10 and Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL4a/4 or eight AA-size batteries. The Nikon D700 is also compliant with the next-generation high-speed UDMA CompactFlash cards, that will enable 35-Mbyte recording speed.

Scene Recognition System

Improvements to the exclusive 1,005-pixel RGB light sensor have allowed information from the sensor to be utilized for auto exposure, auto white balance and autofocus. 3D-Tracking in AF, for example, achieved by using the Scene Recognition System, tracks subject position and automatically shifts the AF points used to match the subject’s movement within the frame. This system also contributes to higher accuracy of auto exposure and auto white balance detection.

Picture Control System

Nikon’s Control System enables users, from novices to professionals, to create the pictures they envision by making specific selections and adjustments to image sharpening, tone compensation, brightness, tone and saturation. Even with different cameras, when the settings are the same, you get the same picture tone. Picture Control System offers four fundamental setting options – Standard, Neutral, Vivid and Monochrome – for easy customization of image parameters.

AF system with high-density 51-point AF

The D700 incorporates a Multi-CAM 3500FX autofocus sensor module featuring 51 AF points. Fifteen cross-type sensors located in the center enable subject detection with lens apertures as small as f/5.6. The functioning of the AF points is linked to the Scene Recognition System, to deliver superior subject detection and focus tracking performance. A single AF point can be selected from the 51 or 11 focus points. In Dynamic-area AF mode, you can select from either 9, 21 or 51 AF areas. The 51-point option offers 3D-Tracking mode, which automatically shifts the focus point to match the subject’s movements. Auto-area AF mode gives greater priority to the subject’s position when selecting AF points.

Choose from two Live View modes

Live View allows shooting while confirming the subject on the 3-inch, 920,000-dot color LCD monitor. In Handheld mode, which lets you recompose the frame prior to actual shooting, ordinary TTL phase-detection AF is activated, using all 51 AF points including 15 cross-type points. Tripod mode is designed for precise focus accuracy with still subjects and tripod stabilization. It enables focal-plane contrast-detect AF on a desired point within a specific area. Remote view, focusing and shooting can also be controlled from a PC (via connection or wireless) using optional Nikon Camera Control Pro 2 software.

DX cropping mode

The Nikon D700 lets you select from either FX format (36 x 24) or DX format (24 x 16). At the default setting of [Auto DX crop], the camera will automatically select DX format when a DX NIKKOR lens is attached.

High-definition, 3-inch VGA, TFT LCD monitor with wide viewing angle

The ultrahigh-definition [920,000-dot VGA (640 x 480)], 3-inch LCD monitor with tempered glass provides a 170° viewing angle. The large monitor is remarkably effective when confirming the focus with enlarged playback images. The wide viewing angle enables easy recomposing of the frame in Hand-held mode with Live View.

The viewfinder features an eye-level pentaprism with high refraction index and provides 95% frame coverage with 0.72x magnification. Fifty-one AF points and a framing grid are superimposed on the finder screen. The eyepoint is 18 mm (at -0.1 m-1), and the diopter can be adjusted within a range of -3 to +1 m-1.

Image Sensor Cleaning

Vibrations at four different resonant frequencies remove dust from the optical low-pass filter in front of the image sensor. This function is automatically activated each time the camera is turned on and off, and can also be activated on demand by the photographer.

Built-in flash with wireless commander function

With a guide number of approximately 17/56 (m/ft., ISO 200, 20°C/68°F) and 24mm lens coverage, the high-performance built-in flash enables i-TTL flash control that evaluates flash exposure with greater precision for exceptional results. Compatible with the Nikon Creative Lighting System, the built-in flash controls up to two groups of remote units as a master/commander in Advanced Wireless Lighting.

Engineered durability

A magnesium alloy is used for the exterior cover, rear body and mirror box to reduce weight and provide rugged durability. O-ring sealing where connections are made gives you valuable protection against dust and moisture. The shutter unit developed and manufactured by Nikon employs shutter blades made of a new material (a hybrid of carbon fiber and Kevlar). Tested on fully assembled cameras, the D700’s shutter unit has been proven through 150,000 cycles under demanding conditions. The self-diagnostic shutter constantly monitors and maintains shutter precision.

Multi-Power Battery Pack MB-D10 (option)

The optional Multi-Power Battery Pack MB-D10, which uses one Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL4a/4/3e or eight AA-size batteries, is equipped with a shutter-release button, AF-ON button, multi selector, and main- and sub-command dials. When attached, it enables high-speed continuous shooting of 12.1-megapixel images at a rate of up to 8 fps*. * When using EN-EL4a/4 or eight AA-size batteries.

Exclusive Wireless Transmitter WT-4/4A (option)

The WT-4/4A supports both wired LAN (10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX) and wireless LAN (IEEE 802.11b/g, 11a), and incorporates a thumbnail mode. A PC allows wireless connection of up to five cameras, for display of thumbnail images and downloading of selected images. Using Camera Control Pro 2 (option) and the Live View function, wireless remote view/control shooting is also possible.

Fine tuning for AF

The focal point in AF for the current CPU lenses can be fine-tuned and registered. A certain level of adjustment set for up to 12 lens types is applied when a lens of the same type is attached. When using a lens that has not been registered, the same level of adjustment can be applied.

Improved Function button feature

In addition to the exclusive Function button, this feature can be assigned to the Preview button and the AE/AF Lock button, for optimum flexibility. Furthermore, NEF copy recording together with JPEG image can be assigned to the Function button.

HDMI output (High-Definition TV) supported

The D700 complies with HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) Ver. 1.3a for the transfer of global-standard video and audio signals. A Type C mini connector is provided.

Info display

Various shooting information is displayed on the LCD monitor, including shutter speed and aperture. Character color can be adjusted to match lighting conditions – black for light locations, white for dark locations. Auto switch mode can also be set.

My Menu

A variety of setting options can be customized under My Menu, then added to, deleted and reordered.

Electronic Virtual Horizon

Using a sensor incorporated in the body, the inclination of the camera is detected and displayed in the LCD monitor.

Non-CPU AI Nikkor: Can be used in exposure modes A and M; electronic rangefinder can be used if maximum aperture is f/5.6 or faster; Color Matrix Metering and aperture value display supported if user provides lens data

Below is an archived record of the Nikon D700 rumors leading up to its official announcement.

Is this the new Nikon D700? These images have surfaced across the web and purport to be official promotion material of the Nikon D700. Looks pretty convincing to me. A good portion of the material is readable and appears to be quality copy written for a Nikon DSLR. Additionally, the Nikon D300 price appears to be dropping – perhaps in order to make room for the Nikon D700’s more premium price point. One thing’s for sure, the Nikon rumors are seriously heating up as we move closer to Photokina 2008.

If these are legit, here’s what you can expect from the new Nikon D700:

Non-CPU AI NIKKOR: Can be used in exposure modes A and M; electronic rangefinder can be used if maximum aperture is f/5.6 or faster; Color Matrix Metering and aperture value display supported if user provides lens data